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The Prince Louis Christening Photos Have Been Released and They’re Terrific UPDATED 5th Photo

Tonight Kensington Palace released the photos from Prince Louis’s christening. This image of Kate and Louis was taken in the garden at Clarence House after the christening.

That is one lovely photograph. I think it may be the first time we’ve seen the Prince with his eyes open; he was said to have slept through the service a week ago and in the photos taken outside of the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace on Monday he also appeared to be snoozing.

The Prince is simply precious in a fifth picture released Monday morning, wide awake and smiling.

This image was taken by Matt Porteous, who shot Prince George’s third birthday photos.

The other images were shot in the Morning Room at Clarence House, the official London residence of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

If in need of a refresher, the photo above shows (from left to right): Prince George, The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Louis, The Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte. Standing: The Duke of Sussex, The Duchess of Sussex, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, Mrs. Carole Middleton, Mr. Michael Middleton, Mrs. Pippa Matthews, Mr. James Matthews, Mr. James Middleton. This is the first time we have seen Mr. Matthews in an official family photo released by Kensington Palace.

Here is the first official photo of the Cambridges as a family of five. Charlotte’s smile has a touch of the scamp, George looks a little more serious and the proud parents are just beaming.

While HM wasn’t at the event in person, The Daily Telegraph notes:

…the 92-year-old monarch poignantly retains a place in an intimate family portrait taken in the Morning Room at Clarence House last week, watching over the next generation of her family.

The oil on canvas portrait of the Queen, by Michael Noakes between 1972 and 1973, appears to have been raised several inches up the wall from its previous position to ensure it is visible in the official picture by photographer, Matt Holyoak.

Prince George looks like he is having fun in this one, and if you look at Princess Charlotte, she is holding Prince Louis’s hand.

More on the setting from Erin Hill’s story in People:

The family is surrounded by history in Clarence House’s Morning Room. The sofa they are seated around is part of a suite of gilt-wood seat furniture by Thomas Chippendale, which dates from about 1773. It is thought to have been commissioned by George III’s brother, the Duke of Gloucester.

It is the same room used for Prince George’s christening photos.

Princess Charlotte’s christening pictures were taken in the Drawing Room of Sandringham House.

The pictures were taken by portrait photographer Matt Holyoak.  You may remember that Mr. Holyoak took the portraits marking the Queen and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary.

William and Kate were so impressed with the work he did on the anniversary images, they asked him to shoot the Prince Louis christening pictures. More about the photographer via this story in The Mirror:

Mr Holyoak has worked with a host of celebrities and his photos have regularly been splashed on the covers of magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Shortlist and Dazed and Confused.

His pictures have also been published in titles including GQ, Another, Vogue, Elle, Empire, Rolling Stone, Interview, L’Uomo Vogue and Vanity Fair.

He has established himself as one of the world’s leading portrait photographers and has had a number of his pieces of work acquired by The National Portrait Gallery for their permanent collection.

In a statement about the photos the photographer says:

I was truly honored at being asked to take the official photographs at the christening of Prince Louis, and to witness at first hand such a happy event. Everyone was so relaxed and in such good spirits, it was an absolute pleasure. I only hope I have captured some of that joy in my photographs.

MattHolyoak.com (Click image to visit website)

You can see the different photography styles in Mario Testino’s picture of the Duchess at Charlotte’s christening and Matt Holyoak’s photo from last week.

It really is a treat to see the photos. Here is a quick reminder of what Kate wore at all three christenings.

And here is a look at how all three Cambridge children looked on the day they were christened.

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TravelingBlush

Thursday 19th of July 2018

It's great that you've put up the photos from various christenings together in this post, because you can clearly see the great deal of thought and planning put into each of Kate's look. People sometimes make judgment on a dress without considering context and position. In these sets of christening photos, with such a dominant christening gown, only Kate's overall look differentiates each picture. A few hundred years from now, historians and lay people alike will appreciate these choices and the times they represent. And that's what Kate's brief is, when she dresses for official events. And personally, I review all her choices with this brief in mind.

I look at all the men's ties in Louis' christening and it does seem that there is some coordination (compared to George and Charlotte's christening), or it's just that everyone knows the color scheme of the room (except for Meghan - I think she makes the group picture off balance).

Anne-Christine

Tuesday 17th of July 2018

Mr. Holyoak is a very talented photographer. Such great pictures. Catherine looks absolutely breathtaking, and it's wonderful that they chose to release a photo in which Charlotte is holding Louis' hand and looking directly at him. Adorable.

Juniper

Monday 16th of July 2018

Oh my gosh, Kate has never looked more radiant or beautiful than in these photos. And I agree with the many comments that in the end her headpiece works! That little Louis is precious, and I love how different each child is turning out. I do think that George is resembling Kate's father (the shape of his face) and Charlotte is a little version of the Queen, as has always been noted. The Cambridges are a lovely, lovely family.

I am still not a fan of the olive drab of Meghan's outfit because this is, after all, the height of summer, and everyone is wearing some light version of blue, and with Kate and Camilla in cream, Meghan once again stands out.

Lee

Monday 16th of July 2018

Always a treat when these occasion photos are released.

However, I always wonder why photos with the godparents aren't released. I would think they'd be important.

hrhdhd

Monday 16th of July 2018

The godparents aren't particularly public people, so maybe they don't want the photos released. Meanwhile, we have these photos to enjoy.

milly

Monday 16th of July 2018

just love the hat, it is so on trend at the moment across the international horse racing fashion on the fields. I recently saw photos of the Dubai cup which is one of the most fashionable events in the world and the hat crowns were out in force. Melbourne Cup last year was an absolute feast of gorgeous hat and crown headwear. Simply stunning

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